Wings Club to present award to Doolittle Raiders

The Wings Club will honor the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders with its third annual Outstanding Aviator Award.

The Outstanding Aviator Award was created by the Wings Club in partnership with the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA). The mission of the award is to recognize aviators whose actions have made major contributions to aviation and/or security and serve as leadership role models.

The presentation of this year’s award will take place at The Wings Club’s Annual Meeting, to be held on the evening of Wednesday, March 28, at The Yale Club in New York City. Ken Gazzola, past president and chairman of the Historical and Educational Committee, and IAWA board members will present the award to Doolittle Raider Major Thomas C. Griffin, who will be in attendance.

The Doolittle Raid, on April 18, 1942, was the first air raid by the US to strike the Japanese Home Islands during World War II. The mission was led by Lt. Col. James H. “Jimmy” Doolittle who led 16 Army B-25 bombers off the deck of the Navy Carrier Hornet and bombed five major cities in Japan, including the capital city of Tokyo. Although there were a number of enemy planes in the air, none of the American bombers were damaged or shot down. The raid resulted in a tremendous boost in American morale. Each of the Doolittle’s Raiders received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his epic mission.

The Wings Club, founded in 1942, is dedicated to preserve the history and traditions of aviation. The club provides a forum for discussion and debate on aeronautical and aviation issues. The Wings Club serves more than 1,200 members including industry leaders, pilots, professionals in related service organizations and students of aviation.

Founded in 1988, the International Aviation Womens Association (IAWA) brings together women of achievement in the aviation industry and promotes their advancement internationally through the establishment of a worldwide network of aviation professional contacts. IAWA is an international organization for women who hold senior positions in the aviation and aerospace industry including airline, airport, finance, insurance, law, manufacturing, operations, suppliers and government.